I guess I’m getting old, but when I want to play video games I want to do exactly that, play video games. I’m not, however, looking forward to breaking down old U-Haul boxes to make different things to essentially play a video game. Nevertheless, hats off to Nintendo for trying to get the kiddos involved to be creative, but this old man just wants to play Zelda while drinking a beer, unless I can make a card board beer holder.

Per the press release:

Quote:

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 17, 2018 – Introducing Nintendo Labo, a new line of interactive build-and-play experiences designed to inspire kids and those who are kids-at-heart. Building on the 129-year history of Nintendo, which is rooted in innovative entertainment and game-play experiences, Nintendo Labo continues the company’s mission of putting smiles on people’s faces.

Together with the Nintendo Switch system (sold separately), the Nintendo Labo kits provide the tools and technology to MAKE fun DIY creations, PLAY games with your creations and DISCOVER how the magic of Nintendo Switch technology shapes ideas into reality.

With each Nintendo Labo kit, kids can transform modular sheets of cardboard – specially designed to interact with the Nintendo Switch console and Joy-Con controllers – into creations called Toy-Con. From a piano to a motorbike, a robot and more, each Toy-Con comes to life when combined with Nintendo Switch in different ways. As you build, you will have fun discovering how the technology works, and might even invent new ways to play with each Toy-Con!

For example, you can build a functioning 13-key piano that brings your musical creations to life once the Nintendo Switch console and Right Joy-Con controller are inserted. As you play, the IR Motion Camera in the Right Joy-Con detects which keys are pressed and translates them into unique notes that are heard through the console. You can even take control of your very own motorbike by constructing a functioning set of handlebars, with a Joy-Con inserted in each side and the Nintendo Switch console cradled in the middle. Simply hit the ignition button, turn the right handle to engage the accelerator and watch your adventure unfold on the Nintendo Switch screen, as you race to new destinations.

The thing a lot of people don't get about the gaming industry is that it's grown not because more people are playing games but because it's changed into something else entirely than what it used to be. To get the widest numbers possible, gaming has turned into a dumb, passive, opiate of carrot-on-a-stick gameplay. The games that sell the most are often the least intelligent or taxing. That's fine. People like what they like. But there is a big underserved market out there for people who want active play experiences and I think we're going to see a lot more of that in the coming years.

Children, especially, I think are starved for more active play.

There are going to be people who are attracted to the new Uncharted because Drake has new beard stubble technology, or the story is about how he has prostate cancer now, or something, but that's not going to convert non-gamers, and it's not going to raise a next generation of gamers.

The same goes for music and movies. Maybe books too? Not sure (my buddy's wife makes a killing writing "paranormal romance" novels).

Point is, nothing new here.

Oh absolutely. It’s the same in all media. I think the only difference when it comes to games is that somehow “gamers” have convinced themselves that the mass market candy they like to consume is actually the stuff of the strongest substance.

“I’m too sophisticated to play a game that’s not 60fps and 4K” is like saying “I’m too sophisticated to listen to music that’s not coming from a woman who’s 23 and 115 pounds.” That’s fine if it’s your preference, but it has nothing to do with sophistication.

It's creative for kids and makes a weekend of videogames more acceptable to stricter parents due to the arts & crafts angle. It's also fairly cheap, impulse purchase territory for sure. 6 - 14 year old kids are going to eat this shit up and so are their parents as it's an easy time filler.

Bravo to Nintendo for trying something different. Hell if they catch me at the right moment (and assuming the games that come with the package are any good) I may even buy it for myself.

Remember Nintendo have Dark Souls and this coming within a few weeks of each other. They are trying to get everyone onboard and they could well succeed. With another good year in 2018, I think they will overtake xbox in sales and who knows, beating the PS4 could be on the table.

It's creative for kids and makes a weekend of videogames more acceptable to stricter parents due to the arts & crafts angle. It's also fairly cheap, impulse purchase territory for sure. 6 - 14 year old kids are going to eat this shit up and so are their parents as it's an easy time filler.

Bravo to Nintendo for trying something different. Hell if they catch me at the right moment (and assuming the games that come with the package are any good) I may even buy it for myself.

Remember Nintendo have Dark Souls and this coming within a few weeks of each other. They are trying to get everyone onboard and they could well succeed. With another good year in 2018, I think they will overtake xbox in sales and who knows, beating the PS4 could be on the table.

That's what I was thinking. Definitely not for me, but my boy loves playing legos, so maybe he will give this a shot. Dark Souls on Switch? I may have to pick that up. Loved Bloodborne, still stuck on DSIII, lol.